9/16/2013 11:00:00 a.m. -
Reported by
John Bowman

A limited-edition gold coin marking the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who is being issued by New Zealand Mint, it was announced today.

A total of 250 of the 1 Troy ounce coins are being struck. They are being issued in collaboration with BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand as legal tender under the authority of Niue Island. Each has a nominal value of NZ$200 but will actually cost NZ$3,050 (approximately £1,570.14, AUS$2,672.41, €1,870.57, or US$2,502.83, but please note that conversion rates are liable to change), excluding duties and taxes.

The coins are 99.99 per cent pure gold, have a proof finish, and are 32.6mm in diameter. The reverse features an engraved relief of the TARDIS while the obverse has the Ian Rank-Broadley depiction of the Queen, with the border bearing the engraved words DOCTOR WHO 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1963 – 2013. They are being packaged in a wooden coin case with elevating coin insert for display purposes, and will be supplied with a gold-foiled certificate of authenticity.

It follows the issue of the 1oz silver coin earlier this year, which New Zealand Mint chief executive Simon Harding said had sparked "significant" international response. He added:

We auctioned off eight silver limited-edition Doctor Who 50th-anniversary commemorative coins on eBay, with all profits from the auctions going to our annual initiative of sending two students from the island of Niue to Outward Bound, and in doing so created an international bidding frenzy, with one coin selling to a Canadian bidder for more than 15 times its NZ$155 face value.

After the success of the silver Doctor Who 50th-anniversary commemorative coin, we are delighted to be partnering again with NZ Mint on the limited-edition gold coin, which looks certain to be a highly coveted item among Doctor Who fans.

Next month, New Zealand Mint will be issuing half-ounce silver coins honouring each of the 11 Doctors.